Elastic Cord for a Pull Exerciser

ABSTRACT

An elastic cord includes a hollow outer elastic cord having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end in a longitudinal direction. The hollow outer elastic cord further includes a hole extending from the first end thereof through the second end thereof. The hollow outer elastic cord further includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery spaced from the outer periphery in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A rib is provided in the hole of the hollow outer elastic cord and extends from the first end through the second end of the hollow outer elastic rod. The rib includes a first portion connected to the inner periphery of the hollow outer elastic cord and a second portion connected to the inner periphery of the hollow outer elastic cord.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an elastic cord for a pull exerciserand, more particularly, to an elastic cord including a rib to avoidinjury to a user when the elastic cord breaks during use.

Pull exercisers utilizing elastic cords allow exercise of muscles of thebreast and arms of a user. These pull exercisers are light, small, andeasy to carry and are, thus, a preferred option to modern people.

A typical elastic cord of a pull exerciser is hollow and attachedbetween two handles. An exercise effect in the muscles of the breast andarms of a user can be attained when the user holding the handlesrepeatedly stretches and releases the elastic cords. However, withreference to FIG. 1, when a user 1 holds the handles 101 of aconventional pull exerciser 10 and stretches the elastic cord 102, theelastic cord 102 could break and injure the user 1.

Thus, a need exists for an improved elastic cord for an exerciser thatwould not injure the user when it breaks during use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An elastic cord according to the present invention includes a hollowouter elastic cord having a first end and a second end spaced from thefirst end in a longitudinal direction. The hollow outer elastic cordfurther includes a hole extending from the first end thereof through thesecond end thereof. The hollow outer elastic cord further includes anouter periphery and an inner periphery spaced from the outer peripheryin a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A ribis provided in the hole of the hollow outer elastic cord and extendsfrom the first end through the second end of the hollow outer elasticrod. The rib includes a first portion connected to the inner peripheryof the hollow outer elastic cord and a second portion connected to theinner periphery of the hollow outer elastic cord.

In an example, the rib further includes a third portion connected to theinner periphery of the hollow outer elastic cord. The rib hassubstantially Y-shaped cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection.

In another example, the rib further includes a fourth portion connectedto the inner periphery of the hollow outer elastic cord. The rib hassubstantially cruciform cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments of this inventiondescribed in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a user and a conventional pull exerciserwith an elastic cord of the pull exerciser broken during use.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a pull exerciser utilizing anelastic cord of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a circled portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the elastic cord of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective view of the pull exerciser utilizingthe elastic cord of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an elastic cord of a second embodimentaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an elastic cord of a third embodiment accordingto the present invention.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachingsonly; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position,relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrativeembodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the artafter the following teachings have been read and understood. Further,the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specificforce, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise bewithin the skill of the art after the following teachings have been readand understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms“first”, “second”, “third”, “fourth”, “end”, “portion”, “outer”,“longitudinal”, “radial”, “length”, and similar terms are used herein,it should be understood that these terms have reference only to thestructure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewingthe drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing theillustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An elastic cord of a first embodiment according to the present inventionis shown in FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings and generally designated 16. In anexample shown in FIG. 2, the elastic cord 16 is utilized with a pullexerciser 12 of the type including two handles 38. Each end of theelastic cord 16 is knotted after extending through a through-hole 40 ofone of the handles 38 to prevent the elastic cord 16 from disengagingfrom the through-hole 40.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the elastic cord 16 of the first embodimentincludes a hollow outer elastic cord 50 that is elongated and that canbe formed by extruding thermoplastic rubber (TPR). The hollow outerelastic cord 50 can be repeatedly stretched with a force and can restoreits original length after the force is released. The hollow outerelastic cord 50 includes a first end 52 and a second end 54 spaced fromthe first end 52 in a longitudinal direction. The hollow outer elasticcord 50 includes a hole 60 extending from the first end 52 through thesecond end 54. The hollow outer elastic cord 50 further includes anouter periphery 56 and an inner periphery 58 spaced from the outerperiphery 56 in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection. The inner periphery 58 defines the hole 60. A rib 62 isformed in the hole 60 and includes a first portion 64 connected to theinner periphery 58 and a second portion 66 connected to the innerperiphery 58. The first portion 64 and the second portion 66 are spacedfrom each other in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection and form a rectilinear shape (FIGS. 2A and 3). In thisembodiment, the rib 62 extends from the first end 52 through the secondend 54 of the hollow outer elastic rod 50.

The rib 62 increases the structural strength of the elastic cord 16.When the outer periphery 56 or the inner periphery 58 of the elasticcord 16 is damaged and if the hollow outer elastic cord 50 begins tobreak from the damaged portion, the rib 62 resists the crack fromrunning through the rib 62 to prevent complete breakage of the elasticcord 16. Thus, the user has a higher chance to find observe the damageof the elastic cord 16 before the elastic cord completely breaks,reducing the risks of injury to the user by the elastic cord 16 in anunexpected situation.

FIG. 5 shows an elastic cord 16 of a second embodiment modified from thefirst embodiment. In this embodiment, the rib 62 includes first, secondand third portions 64, 66, and 70. All of the first, second, and thirdportions 64, 66, and 70 are connected to the inner periphery 58 of thehollow outer elastic cord 50. The first, second, and third portions 64,66, and 70 are spaced from each other by 120°. Thus, the rib 62 hassubstantially Y-shaped cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection.

FIG. 6 shows an elastic cord 16 of a third embodiment modified from thefirst embodiment. In this embodiment, the rib 62 includes first, second,third, and fourth portions 64, 66, 70, and 72. All of the first, second,third, and fourth portions 64, 66, 70, and 72 are connected to the innerperiphery 58 of the hollow outer elastic cord 50. The first, second,third, and fourth portions 64, 66, 70, and 72 are spaced from each otherby 90°. Thus, the rib 62 has substantially cruciform cross sectionsperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The second and third embodiments of the elastic cord 16 also provide thesame effect of increasing the structural strength of the elastic cord16. Thus, when the outer periphery 56 or the inner periphery 58 of theelastic cord 16 is damaged, the rib 62 can delay complete breakage ofthe elastic cord 16 for a period of time. Thus, the user has a higherchance to observe the damage to the elastic cord 16 before the elasticcord completely breaks.

Now that the basic teachings have been explained, many extensions andvariations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. Forexample, the elastic cord 16 can be made of thermoplastic rubber orother elastic materials. Furthermore, the rib 62 having three portions64, 66, and 70 can have solid triangular cross sections perpendicular tothe longitudinal direction or hollow triangular cross sectionsperpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The rib 62 having fourportions 64, 66, 70, and 72 can have solid rectangular cross sectionsperpendicular to the longitudinal direction or hollow rectangular crosssections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Thus, thestructural strength of the elastic cord 16 can be increased if aplurality of portions of the rib 62 is connected to the inner periphery58 of the hollow outer elastic cord 50. The shape of the cross sectionsof the rib 62 is not limited.

Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may be embodiedin other specific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. The scope is to be indicated by theappended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. An elastic cord comprising a hollow outer elastic cord including afirst end and a second end spaced from the first end in a longitudinaldirection, with the hollow outer elastic cord further including a holeextending from the first end thereof through the second end thereof,with the hollow outer elastic cord further including an outer peripheryand an inner periphery spaced from the outer periphery in a radialdirection perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with a ribprovided in the hole of the hollow outer elastic cord and extending fromthe first end through the second end of the hollow outer elastic rod,and with the rib including a first portion connected to the innerperiphery of the hollow outer elastic cord and a second portionconnected to the inner periphery of the hollow outer elastic cord. 2.The elastic cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rib further includesa third portion connected to the inner periphery of the hollow outerelastic cord.
 3. The elastic cord as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ribhas substantially Y-shaped cross sections perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction.
 4. The elastic cord as claimed in claim 2,wherein the rib further includes a fourth portion connected to the innerperiphery of the hollow outer elastic cord.
 5. The elastic cord asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the rib has substantially cruciform crosssections perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.